House Dayne of Ravenholm
House Dayne of Ravenholm for a long time was one of the knightly vassals of the Duchy of Ravenholm. Founded as a side branch of the legendary House Dayne of Dûadia, originating from the Kingdom of Dûadia at the continent of Avalorn. House Dayne as a whole has a legendary status for it's unbreakable honor and noble chivalry and also their steadfast loyalty to the crown and the Knight-Queen. This status and reputation was adopted by all Dayne's, just distinguishes in their interpretation, which differs between both houses.
A long time ago, House Dayne was a noble house in Dûadia, but suffered a great division a few centuries ago, when the heir of the family, Roderic Dayne, lost in a duel against Davion Toradis from the rivaled House Toradis and had to subjugate himself. The leader of the rival house told him to leave Dûadia for good and went into exile, which Roderic did to preserve the honor of the family as a whole. So his younger brother became the new heir of the family. Roderic Dayne founded a side branch of the family in Ravenholm, where he bend the knee to the duke of the duchy. Not long afterwards his new house had become a loyal vassal to the duke's of Ravenholm.
Because House Dayne of Ravenholm stood proud at the side of their duchess in her war against Ajax Varenius, the family faced a lot of enmity in the realms of Aurunia and the Overlord declared them enemies of the Kingdom of Aurun. After Ravenholm as a whole and most of the family with them, got lost in the Mists of the Domains of Dread, the last two remaining members of the House in Aurunia, toddlers at that time, got hidden in the kingdom to grew up and rebuild the once proud family. The fate of the other members of the house, vanished in the mists, remained unclear a long time.
In the year 3171 AoM the fate of the family finally got revealed as they all became Vampires and remained as immortal vassal house of the Duchy of Ravenholm. With the help of one of the last mortal Dayne's, Alexasar Dayne, the house got freed out of the Domains of Dread and from the curse of undeath, returning into the world of the living, where they gained back their mortality and started to rebuild their house at the Boreas Island. They also inherit the sacred task of Wardens of the North, after they got pardoned by Ajax Varenius himself and welcomed again in the lands of Aurunia.
History
One House; One Name
A long time ago there existed only one House Dayne, which originated from Dûadia at the continent of Avalorn. The family was of legendary status for their honor and chivalry, living out the code of knighthood and nobility to the fullest. The house as a whole was steadfast loyal to the Knight-Queen and the Kingdom itself.A fatal Defeat
Since they were territorial neighbours with House Toradis, House Dayne always had a rivalry with the other noble house, often fighting for more territory, borders, the military and political influence. Since their ongoing conflict weakens both houses and for that their oaths to the Kingdom as a whole, they finally decided to settle down their differences by a single duel of honor between the two leaders. Both heirs of the families took up the blade: Roderic Dayne, as the oldest son of House Dayne and Davion Toradis as the oldest son of their house. A long duel ensued since both combatants were formidable warriors, but in the end Davion Toradis was victorious. He defeated Roderic, which accepted his defeat and subjugated himself to the other knight, as it was his obligation to secure the honor of the family as a whole. Davion Toradis had no interest in killing his rival, knowing, the duel could have ended the other way too. To bring peace to the families he just wanted, that Roderic went into exile, leaving behind all of his titles and heritage, as a symbol of his defeat. Roderic accepted this demand and only a few days later he left Dûadia forever. His younger brother inherited his titles and became the new heir of the family name, leading forth the House from this point on. The dispute between the two houses formally found an end and both could dedicate themselves to their oaths to the kingdom as a whole once more.Like Phoenix from the Ashes
It is said Roderic Dayne traveled through Arceiron for a long time and witnessed many adventures, until he finally arrived in the Duchy of Ravenholm. There he found the honorable nobles he had sought to settle down and swear another oath to a ruler. He bend the knee to the duke's of Ravenholm and swear the oath to protect them at all costs, standing loyal to them. He was adopted as a knight into the ranks of the Duchy, where he served many years, until he had proven, that he indeed is an honorable man and loyal knight. After many years he inherited some land by his duke, after he gained his respect and even friendship. He could finally settle down and starting a family of his own, creating a new branch of the family in the process: House Dayne of Ravenholm. He adopted the phoenix as his heraldic animal because of the philosophical meaning: Like a phoenix from the ashes he had risen again, after he lost everything and made his house and name great again. Since he had secured his honor by following this dangerous and difficult path he had also uphold the honor of the family as a whole and so he created the motto: "Ours is the burning honor!", which he believed well fitting. In the following years Roderic Dayne died and his descendants continued to uphold his oath and the philosophies of House Dayne. Over time they became more and more important to the Duchy of Ravenholm and after a while they became a fully accepted noble house beside others.Loyality to the End
For a long time House Dayne of Ravenholm was well respected and remained an important influence at the court of the duke. In the years after 3100 AoM Sir Berrand Dayne was one of the most loyal knights to the ruling family. He teaches their daugther Serena in swordplay and noble mannerisms since she was a child, but to her he not only was a mentor, but also a good friend, respecting her despite her young age and not being that strict and stoic around her, while still fulfilling his duties as a knight. He tried to teach her the importance of justice, honor and proudness, which makes the difference between noble and wise people and the creatures of the wilderness. When war in the Kingdom of Aurun emerged around 3115 AoM, Duke Reinhardt of Ravenholm sold the duchy to the usurper attacking the kingdom, Ajax Varenius and was willing to aid him in his conquest of Aurunia. At this point the duke was sick and weak, still suffering from a fever, not able to resist such a mighty enemy. With him doing that he lost the respect and favor of his daugther Serena and also that of Berrand Dayne, which was not willing to fight in the name of an usurper. One year later, in the year 3116 AoM, when Reinhardt of Ravenholm had succumbed to the fever and his daugther took the position as duchess, Berrand Dayne swear his loyalty and that of his house to her again. In the years following they would try to uphold the freedom of Ravenholm against the allmighty enemies threatening it, even if that would mean to declare independency of the realm. In the year 3118 AoM Good King Omand finally got killed and Ajax Varenius took the position as Overlord, ruling over the Kingdom of Aurun for good. Since Ravenholm refused to bend the knee to the usurper, but also knowing, they could not win in a war without any support Berrand Dayne accepted an invitation to a duel of honor against the champion of Ajax Varenius, fighting for the independence of Ravenholm. In the early days of the year 3119 AoM a titanic battle ensued between Berrand Dayne and Termacht, the Overblade, the Overlord's chosen warrior. Berrand Dayne knew right from the start, he would not stand a chance against Termacht but he accepted the duel nonetheless, to prove his honor as a knight, his loyalty to Ravenholm and also shame Ajax Varenius, showing him, that the duchy will never loose it's strength and will to fight. With a horrified Serena watching, He got defeated in seconds, his blade Raven's Claw splintered in a clash against the mighty blade of Termacht and he got struck down, unable to even penetrate the Blacksteel armor of his enemy. But Berrand Dayne died as a honorable knight, brave and upright to the end. His whole behaviour angered the Overlord, since it shows him and the whole of Aurunia true honor and the true face of the allmighty Overlord. In the aftermath of the duel an angered Overlord declared House Dayne of Ravenholm to personal enemies of Aurun. They should get hunted down everywhere in the Kingdom of Aurun as traitors of the realm. Serena returned to her duchy, mourning the death of her loyal friend and still unwilling to bend the knee to the Overlord. Just a few months later a mysterious man would arrive at her court, changing the fate of Ravenholm forever.The Fate of the younger Son
By the time of the duel and his death the son's of Berrand Dayne still were separated. Kurdran Dayne, the older son, had left the duchy a few years ago to become the ward of some honorable house at the Kingdom of Aurun, while the younger son, Rukon Dayne, had stayed in the Duchy of Ravenholm. Rukon would try his best to fulfill the duties of the house in the years to follow, living forth the honorable tendencies of his father and led the family into an uncertain future. After his brother not returned into Ravenholm, he believed him dead and became the new heir of the family in his place. Later on, he would marry a woman from the duchy and got a daugther, Paraia Dayne, which he prepared to become the leader of the house following him. But a short while later, the true curse of the Duchy of Ravenholm would overshadow anything. Duchess Serena of Ravenholm had became a Vampire and not long afterwards all of her court would share her curse, becoming undead's like herself too. Rukon, his wife and daugther also became vampires, having no other choice to survive and stay loyal to the darkening court of the duchess. When the Mists closes around the cursed Duchy, taking it into the Domains of Dread and separate it from the world of the living, Rukon Dayne and his family were still there, now trapped to all eternity as part of the new Domain of Dread Ravenholm had become with the Duchess as Darklord. Hundreds of years passed, not in the mortal realm, but in the dark domain of Ravenholm. After the previous Baron got burned to final death by the populace because of his arrogant behaviour, Rukon Dayne got the chance to become the new baron of the barony of Revendria, bringing peace back to the upset mortals and pushing further the interests of the duchess. At first he and his family got the trust of the populace, because of their honor and justice and not least because of his daugther, which not wanted to be seen as monsters by the mortals, but when they found out about their true identity as Vampires, they attacked the family and killed his wife for good. A mourning and depressed Rukon Dayne secluded himself and his daugther from the people of Revendria afterwards. He still led the barony, but not interacted with the mortals anymore. They on the other hand stayed away from the estate of House Dayne, in fear of the Baron's Wrath and so myths and legends took place about the cursed leader of the family.The Fate of the older Son
Kurdran Dayne on the other hand had to flee the noble family, where he was a ward, after the Overlord declared House Dayne enemies of the realm and his mentor were to fearful of the usurper to resist him. He leaves the court of the family, where he should be safe, before they would take him prisoner or kill him and went underground. He wasn't able to return home directly, since the borders of Ravenholm were strictly watched and so he had no choice then to stay in Aurun in secrecy. With no other choice he would live life as an adventurer, on the personal quest to become an honorable warrior and knight like his father before him. Later he bands together as an adventurer group with his later wife, a woman named Marisha and also the young nobleman Tibault Reginaux and the dwarven Cleric Gorin Ironfist. As a group of Four they traveled Arceiron for years, had their own adventures and fought their own enemies. Whenever Kurdran later would try to return home, he would notice, that the Duchy of Ravenholm got hidden beneath some mysterious Mists and is not accessible anymore. He never found out how to pass that mists and so he never was able to return home in the years that followed. At an unknown point, the four adventurers separated ways after a long journey together. Tibault Reginaux returned into his hometown of Dawnlight to take up the lead of House Reginaux, while Gorin Ironfist went to the Boreas Island to join House Dùrel as a master blacksmith. Kurdran Dayne married the woman, he had by his side for so long and together with Marisha Dayne he settled down in secret at an unknown location in Aurunia. In the year 3141 AoM the pair got their first children: Twins, which they would name Alexasar and Amelia. Right at this first days after they were born, the family unfortunately got found by the minions of the Overlord, so they had to leave their home. At first they tried to escape their enemies, but soon it was clear, how impossible it would be to escape with the two children as a burden. Also Kurdran Dayne not wanted for them to grow up while on the run constantly. So the pair decided to separate the twins and hide them right under the Overlord's eyes, giving them to their old friends. Gorin Ironfist agreed to take the boy under his wing, promising, that he would not tell him about his heritage before he was old enough to understand the true meaning of it. The girl would brought to Tibault Reginaux, who also agreed to take her, but for a price: She would grew up at his family's home, but when she was old enough he get's the permission to marry her. Kurdran and Marisha agreed, since it was a great risk to hide Amelia in Dawnlight and when she would take up the family name of House Reginaux, the Overlord would never find her anymore. After they hid their children, Kurdran Dayne and Marisha Dayne vanished, telling no one, were they would went to. Rumors are going, they tried to return to Dûadia to find shelter by the other part of the family, but their real fate is unknown to this day.Remnants of the House
The two children would grew up differently with the old friends of their parents. Amelia got raised as a noble woman and on the outside being presented as the ward of a lesser house, taken under the wing of House Reginaux. When she was old enough she married Tibault Reginaux despite their age difference and they would have a daugther, Lancinnei Reginaux, which got born in the year 3156 AoM. In the year 3167 AoM Amelia Reginaux vanished under mysterious circumstances. She left Dawnlight and her husband and daugther behind and wasn't to be found anymore. It's unknown, what happened to her, if she got kidnapped or killed. Rumors are going, she even left on her own, which her husband suspected to the end. Up to this day no one ever heard of her anymore. Her fate is unknown. The boy, Alexasar Dayne got raised by Gorin Ironfist as a foundling and trained as blacksmith on the Boreas Island far away at the northern borders of Aurunia. He got into contact with the culture of the Wardens of the North dominant at the island from an early age on and also came into contact with the leading House Dùrel. He befriended the daugther of the house, Celyna Dùrel and together they trained swordplay, knighthood and the ways of the warrior, dreaming of one of them becoming the best warrior of the world one day. When he was old enough and learned, that his friend is destined to become the new leader of the Wardens and for that not able to leave the Boreas Island, Alexasar was devastated, that they could not bring their dreams into fruition. At this point Gorin told him about the true legacy of the family and Alexasar planned to ask for Celyna's hand, marry her and free her from that destiny, thus sharing the burden of the Wardens of the North with her. He never got the chance to ask her father because the Herd of Storms attacked the island on their way from the north to the mainland of Aurunia. The decimated Wardens of the North had not the manpower necessary to stop the intruders anymore and most of them got massacred. Alexasar lost his fosterfather Gorin Ironfist and also his best friend Celyna Dùrel that day, beside many other friends. Devastated he fled into the wilderness of the Boreas Island, where he got contacted by Bane, impersonating the Red Valkyrie. He got called to arms and would leave the Boreas Island shortly after, joining the Dawn Hammers of Vasselheym, getting trained as one of the hammers in the name of Mavros. He later got chosen by Erzaria as her champion, but in secret and still believing, he is a chosen of Mavros. When Alexasar finally left Vasselheym on his own journey to honor and glory in the year 3168 AoM, he had no idea about having a twin sister and also not knows about the other family members behind the Mists of Ravenholm. Therefore he believed to be the "Last of the Dayne's" taking up the burden to reestablish the family and bring honor back to the fallen house once more...Recent Events
Age of Conquest - Fall of the Gods
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Rise of the Red Horde
Alexasar Dayne arrived in the Kingswood of the Kingdom of Aurun in the year 3168 AoM. Believing, he was a chosen warrior and Cleric of Mavros he joined forces with some other adventurers to defend the forests against the rising threat of the Red Horde. While on the mission to the small town of Seafield to get some evidence to convince the Order of the Righteous Gauntlet of the threat the Orcs are displaying, he met Serena of Ravenholm for the first time. Hearing his name she got interested in the young cleric and helped him and his friends short time later against a orcish attack force. In the aftermath of that battle she told Alexasar of his heritage from Ravenholm, since his grandfather Berrand Dayne was one of her most trusted friends and knights before he got killed by Termacht, the Overblade. She gave him the pieces of his grandfather's longsword Raven's Claw, which got shattered in that duel as well as the signet ring he wore and knighted him right there in the forest so Alexasar could take up the title as "Ser". She also assured him, that he would find shelter and a place to live in Ravenholm, whenever he needs, because now he is a knight of the Duchy. In return Alexasar swore the oath to defeat Termacht the Overblade and avenge the death of his grandfather one day. Later he reforged the blade of his grandfather with the help of Morak Silvertharn and the magical powers of Keira Brightwater. Raven's Claw became, alongside Oathkeeper, part of the mighty greatsword Sword of Dawn, which Alexasar got to wield in the following battles but could get separated from it through magic and wielded on his own too, if needed.March of the Dead
After the Battle of the Ashes got won, rumors spread, that a member of House Dayne had fought alongside the populace of the Kingswood. This rumors reached Tibault Reginaux in Dawnlight, who ordered the knight Juno Sariel to find him and bring him to the capital city of Aurun. Juno followed that order and a while later Alexasar and his friends arrived there to meet Tibault Reginaux at his estate. The old noble revealed to Alexasar that he has a twin sister, Amelia Reginaux, which vanished two years ago under mysterious circumstances. He also revealed to Alexasar, that he has a niece, Lancinnei Reginaux and since Tibault is succumbing to a sickness, he wanted her to become his squire and got trained as a knight, since that is, what her biggest dreams are. After a short while Alexasar accepted the request of Tibault and became the new legal ward to Lancinnei. In that function he also got limited access to the wealth of House Reginaux, having to manage it until the girl is old enough to gain access to it. When they left Dawnlight a while later Lancinnei followed them, now the squire to her uncle, while Tibault Reginaux died shortly after, succumbing to his sickness. Over time Alexasar grew into his role as a mentor and teached Lancinnei much about fighting, weapons, armors and nobles. He also forged a strong bond with her. After a while she asked him why he is a Cleric of war, when he actually hates war, which made Alexasar questioning his bond with Mavros, realizing, that he has nothing in common with this god and so the god of thunder and war has no reason to take him as his champion. A while later the scheme of Bane would got revealed. He had used Alexasar as a tool to call the mortal orders and kingdoms into war against each other at the end of the Age of Conquest, believing to weaken them enough so they can't stand against his conquest anymore, when the end of the age finally came. The young knight looses his perspective after this revelation, but finally got contacted by Erzaria, who told him, that she had chosen him as champion a long time ago, honoring his oath to become one of the strongest warriors of the world, with a name so legendary, that even Celyna Dùrel, which entered her realm after her physical death, would be able to hear. She wanted Alexasar to continue his journey and so he became a follower of Erzaria, taking up her teachings as his own moral code. When they continued their journey, it became more and more dangerous, to the point, where Lancinnei got killed by a swarm of insectoid monsters. Unable to rescue her with his normal powers Alexasar challenged the Fates to bring her back from the Dead and got lucky enough to not pay a horrible price. But realizing, he can't keep her by his side any longer, he send her back to Dawnlight in secret, beside Juno Sariel, which should keep watch of her. As the day of the final battle against the Forces of Orcus came closer and they had not enough allies to fight the numerical superior enemies, Alexasar decided to step out of the shadow and confront Ajax Varenius to join forces with him. Together with Lancinnei, as another member of his house, he got brought to the Korraj where he met the Overlord and they came to an agreement. Alexasar bend the knee to the Overlord, atleast for the duration of the war and in response his family would get pardoned in the Kingdom of Aurun afterwards. He also would get the remains of his grandfather Berrand Dayne to give him a proper burial, 50 years after his death at the hands of Termacht. Together with the forces of the Overlord, Alexasar Dayne and his allies fought in the Battle of Gerlmand to stop the march of the undeads into the Kingdom of Aurun. But even together they had no chance and so Alexasar used his contacts to Ravenholm, inviting Lady Serena of Ravenholm to an audience with Ajax Varenius, without him knowing. He was able to convince both leaders, that they must work together to stop the Forces of Orcus or they will all be destroyed. Led by Alexasar as a neutral political party and some safety, the Winterhold Academy could assure, they forged a pact to defeat the undead army together. Shortly after it came to the most intense fight against Alastaire Bonewright and Rhacen in the middle of the destroyed city of Gerlmand. As part of the plan to end the invasion of the undead's Serena activated the Scepter of Orcus to open a portal back to his realm of Thanatos and to send the hordes of undead back to him. Alexasar saw the reckless behaviour of the Duchess firsthand, when she activated the portal way to early, risking the life of Kolgar Thoradin and Nixiranna Roselight, the latter falling down into the Abyss of Orcus realm. When confronted with that she showed no remorse, just telling the knight, that she did, what she must. Realizing her real monstrous nature for the first time Alexasar felt unable to fight in her name any longer, renouncing his oath as a knight of Ravenholm and withdrew himself of any support of her duchy. To safe Nixiranna from a horrible fate, he then sacrificed his Sword of Dawn, ensuing Keira Brightwater with enough magical energy to bring her back to the mortal realm. Raven's Claw, the sword of his grandfather, then broke once more, now freed from all magical power, that repaired it in the first place. After the Battle of Gerlmand ended with victory for the living, Alexasar Dayne and his friends got celebrated as heroes. Ajax Varenius kept his word and reestablished House Dayne as friends of the realm afterwards, so they would no longer be enemies and no longer be hunted. In the aftermath Alexasar got the ashes of Berrand Dayne and he buried his grandfather at the Boreas Island, the new home of the family, together with his broken sword Raven's Claw.Into the Mist of Ravenholm
In the year 3171 AoM Alexasar Dayne got the mission to travel through the mists into Ravenholm as an ambassador to negotiate a peace treaty with Serena of Ravenholm, in the name of the Overlord himself. With an offering to the duchess the Overlord wanted to make sure, he will not get attacked by Ravenholm while his diminished troops have to face the Kingdom of Sargus and the troops of the Empire of Noraxus on their southern borders. He saw Alexasar as the perfect ambassador to this purpose because of his connections to the Duchy of Ravenholm. He was sure about the fact, that Serena would not kill the grandson of her beloved mentor in an instant. Since Alexasar not knew anything about his heritage at this point the Overlord told him, that only a person, originating from Ravenholm, can pass the mists and therefore he might be the only chance and hope to safe the Kingdom of Aurun. Together with some of his old friends the young and ambitious knight started the journey and arrived in the City of Ravenholm a few weeks later after they got led there by the three Raedir siblings. Lady Serena, which knew about their coming before, organized a banquet, where all of her vampiric lords and ladys got invited. She demonstrated the power of the Duchy of Ravenholm to the mortals. There Alexasar met Rukon Dayne, his uncle and his cousin Paraia Dayne for the first time, shocked about the fact, that the last remaining Dayne's from Ravenholm are Vampires. He also realizes, that this would have been his fate, if he had remained a loyal knight to Ravenholm. Later on he got the chance to tell Lady Serena and the others the peace offering the Overlord made, but the duchess doesn't take it serious, because of the fact, how bad and unfortunate it is to her end. After revealing to the young knight the truth about her burning hatred against the Overlord, she promise to think about the offering seriously and in the meantime Alexasar and his friends should stay in the barony of Revendria, as guests to House Dayne of Ravenholm. Early the next day the Ashenblades traveled with Rukon and Paraia Dayne to the barony. After their arrival they got the chance to explore the town and Paraia tried her best to overcome the prejudices of her cousin, by telling him more about the family and their history in Ravenholm. He even got the chance to learn more about notable members of the family and learning something about the family tree. Vice versa Paraia learned the first time about Lancinnei, the niece she might never meet and she wanted Alexasar to bring her a present. At this moments, while Paraia is sad about the fact of never meeting Lancinnei, the knight fully realizes about the burden the curse is to Paraia and even her father and that they are trapped in the cursed duchy. When he witnessed Paraia drinking blood by accident and how she suffers doing this, he was convinced, that the young woman will break under this burden one day completly, a fact, that Rukon Dayne is aware of, so a dispute came up between him and Alexasar, where Rukon accused the knight of getting Paraia in such a situation firsthand. Over the course of the next days, while the Ashenblades stayed in Revendria things just got worse. They participated at the "Wolfskopf Jamboree", one of many festivities, that got held in Revendria by the people living there and Alexasar learned, how hated and disgusted House Dayne of Ravenholm really is. They got watched as just another bunch of Vampires, killing people of the town and drinking their blood, which is the reason, Paraia and Rukon never participated in such events before. Alexasar tried his best to overcome this prejudices and got the chance to, when he and his friends fended off the attack of some Werewolves, that attacked the festivity in an rebellious act. Because Cale O'Lear and Varen Cresthill got bitten and infected with the curse of Lycanthropy while fending off the attackers, Paraia Dayne helped Alexasar and Kolgar to reach the City of Ravenholm again, where the Vestari have their camp, able to heal them from the curse. Afterwards she suddenly got called by Serena of Ravenholm and because being a direct spawn of her sireline she had no other choice then to follow this order, leaving the Ashenblades behind. Like her father before she had to follow the order of the duchess returning to Castle Ravenholm. Alexasar and the other members of the Ashenblades tried to travel Ravenholm on their own, fulfilling their personal goals, but got brought into even more trouble soon enough. They helped the inhabitants of the small town of Gloomhaven to rise against the tyrannical Lestard Kilmander, the vampiric lord of the region, killing him for good with the help of Celestine and making the small town, now called "Brighthaven" a secured refuge for the living. An enraged Serena of Ravenholm took away the title of ambassador from Alexasar because of the murder of one of her lords, ignoring the fact, that this lord was conspiring against her anyway. She got the Ashenblades into helping her to invade Nosgor, another Domain of Dread to steal some holy artifacts, the Artifacts of Light she wanted to use against Mordecaine to gain back her freedom once and for all. After the ratcatchers had done this, she pardoned them but also wanted them to leave the duchy as soon as possible, no longer willing to get into a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Aurun. Later on, the Ashenblades returned to Revendria, where Rukon Dayne was not amused of seeing his nephew again, which took actions against the duchess and damaged the honor of House Dayne that badly. There Alexasar met Lady Ludmylla Toradis, another Vampire from outside Ravenholm, which came from Dûadia for a visit. She's a member of their most rivaled house, which defeated House Dayne eons ago and caused the split into two houses. But she's also not into old grudges and so telling Alexasar a lot aboud the founding of House Dayne of Ravenholm and the remaining House Dayne of Dûadia, still remaining in the knight kingdom. Indeed she and Alexasar met at good terms and the young knight even got the promise of an army, that Lady Toradis can bring forth to help the Kingdom of Aurun defeating their enemies, if she can get some blood of the Overlord in return. After getting such an unexpected offer he can bring the Overlord as support in the upcoming wars, Alexasar also revealed, that he returned to Revendria because he wanted to finish off the echo of Berrand Dayne, a part of his grandfather's soul still lingering in Ravenholm since eons. Erzaria herself tasked the young knight with destroying this echo and using it's power to strengthen his own blade, the Oathkeeper. Rukon and Paraia Dayne got invited to this fight and Rukon revealed, that he already knew about the fact, that some part of his father's soul hadn't found peace. The remains of the old knight are buried at the Boreas Island and his soul found peace in Arborea, but a part of him, full of anger, hatred and negative emotions, still remained in Ravenholm for a long time. Rukon never believed, that it would be possible to free this part of him for good. But Alexasar challenged his granfather's soul to an honorable duel. In the fight Berrand Dayne revealed that he was sure about the downfall of Ravenholm, but he hold onto his oath anyway, blinded by the burden of honor, even at the moment, he already knew, that he will doom his family and fail the Duchy of Ravenholm anyway. He died and his family became enemies of the Kingdom of Aurun, just because he was unable to let go of his honor, saving the ones he loved and maybe even the duchess. Alexasar realized that leaving an oath behind, that is not worth it, not make him an unworthy warrior, but a wise one and that in the end family is more important then any oath. Finally he's able to finish Berrand Dayne, destroying the negative echo of his soul and forging it's essence into his blade, strengthen it with the power of flames, true to the family's motto: "Our's is the burning honor". In the aftermath of the battle Alexasar got the chance to end his conflict with his uncle, who now sees for the first time the possibility of salvation for himself and his daugther. Alexasar promised them to find a way, how they can leave Ravenholm and got freed from the curse of Vampirism for good. A while later the Ashenblades again returned to Revendria after they found and freed the ghost of Daith Revenmar, a prominent blacksmith of legendary status, formerly an inhabitant of Revendria and after his death trapped by Serena of Ravenholm to continue forging powerful magical weapons. Alexasar revealed to his uncle Rukon, that he met a powerful Vampire, Lucian Nogaris, which is a follower of Denithria herself, the creator of the vampiric race and therefore able to free him and Paraia from their curse and allowing them to leave Ravenholm. To get the help of Lucian Nogaris they just have to bring him the Blade of Denithria, claiming it from the grasp of Elora Revenmar, the daugther of Daith and member of the Ashenblades, which get's controlled by it. Rukon is unsure at first, but Alexasar got him with revealing the fact, that House Dayne of Ravenholm hasn't a future in the realms of Ravenholm since a long time, hated by their own populace, unhonorable and lost. At the dawn of the next morning, Rukon is convinced about the possibility of getting their freedom and gave the Ashenblades one of his carriages, which enables them to get to the meeting with Lucian Nogaris in time. He now realized, that Alexasar brought hope to his daugther and even himself too. Finally the Ashenblades participated in the Battle of Deadmoore Keep, which ended with the retreat of Alistaire Bonewright and the destruction of his new undead army, which he wanted to build up in the name of Orcus and also with the liberation of Elora Revenmar. The Blade of Denithria get into the possession of Lucian Nogaris and therefore he opened a dimensional rift, bringing the group to Revoria and into the domain of Denithria herself. Alexasar got the chance to negotiate with Denithria for the souls of Rukon and Paraia Dayne and he's able to get the Archon into freeing them both from the curse of Vampirism and therefore the will of Serena of Ravenholm as their maker. They also get brought back into the world of the living, where they can continue a mortal life up to the day, they will die a natural death. Afterwards Rukon Dayne, which soul weighs heavy with the burden of his sin's has to do atonishment in front of Anokh, but he might find his peace afterwards. Paraia Dayne will also be brought to Anokh after her death, but she has the chance to live a good life and be judged in the moment of her death again, since she didn't do as much as many atrocities her father did. As part of the deal Alexasar had to swear that he will not try anything to prolong the life of his family members through magical means. They got the chance of a better mortal life, but just one chance, nothing more. Alexasar agreed and accepted the pact in the name of his family.The Future of the Realm
After leaving Ravenholm and returning into the world of the living, Alexasar and his friends met Rukon and Paraia Dayne, which got brought to Dawnlight by Denithria, now freed from the curse of Vampirism, being mortal beings again. They meet Lancinnei for the first time and a short while they could enjoy their time as a family in the capital city of the Kingdom of Aurun. This ended soon unfortunately, when Alexasar got a new mission from the Overlord himself and had to leave with his friends, this time as escort of an ambassador to the Empire of Noraxus. Before they leaved, Alexasar told his uncle about the Boreas Island and made the plan with him to negotiate with Willem Dùrel, the last remaining member of House Dùrel. After the impending death of the old man and the extinction of his house the leadership of the Boreas Island and therefore the sacred task of the Wardens of the North will pass over to House Dayne and Rukon shall prepare everything for that moment. He and his family got to obtain Gorin's Refuge, the guild hall of the Ashenblades, until their return. Rukon promised his nephew that he will arrange everything and lead the family until the young knight returns from his mission. Raia Samaris then used her arcane magic to teleport Rukon, Paraia, Lancinnei and Rena back to Northfield, where they could take a ship to reach the Boreas Island off the coast. Since their return to the Boreas Island, House Dayne of Ravenholm prepared the Wardens of the North for the upcoming war and claimed their new duties to defend the Kingdom of Aurun as the last bulwark against all invasions from the North.Culture
Origins
House Dayne of Ravenholm is a human noble house, being a side branch of House Dayne of Dûadia, formerly unified as House Dayne, which originated from the continent of Avalorn. There they came into existence as an honorable house of knights and nobles in the kingdom of Dûadia at an unknown point in history. This ancestry makes them of thoralian descendence, but who founded the house in the first place is unknown. It's believed, that a famous and extreme honorable warrior was the first Dayne, founding the family after he was knighted and got the permission to create his own house. He continued forth his beliefs of the importance of honor and duty and the necessity of nobility and respect. In the eons that followed the descendants of the founder adopted his beliefs, deeply imbued into them from early days on and finally the family was well known for their legendary status as the embodiments of knighthood and chivalry. After Roderic Dayne lost in an honorable duel against Davion Toradis, he went into exile, leaving his younger brother as the heir of the family name. He went into Ravenholm, where he founded a side branch of the family and became the leader of one of the most influential noble houses to the Duchy of Ravenholm, named House Dayne of Ravenholm. The new founded house never got into contact with the original house, at first because of the exile of their founder and later on because none of the family members had any contact to the original House Dayne of Dûadia. Up to this day the two houses grew up to separate beliefs and history, just sharing their name, their ancestry and their legendary status as honorable knights and warriors, but have nothing more in common any longer.Traits
The most common trait that is connected with the name "Dayne" is that of honor and nobility. Their status as the most honorable knights and warriors is legendary among everyone, that knows about knighthood and chivalry. It might be exaggerated at some points and some tales of the deeds of members of House Dayne are simply that, but it's in fact true that the house had brought forth many knights and warriors living up to the code of chivalry to the fullest. An unusal high portion of members of the family even became knights and got titles as nobles and most of them are known to have fulfilled some exceptional deeds in their life, making their name legends. The necessity of nobility, respect, honor and duty is teached inside the family to all members, from an early age on, because the Dayne's deeply believes, that someone without honor is just a monster, a faceless being and therefore not a person. Honor is, what separates a warrior from a monster and every member of House Dayne have to uphold this beliefs. Since they as a whole are in deep belief of that morality code, every member feel an intense pressure on them their whole life, always in fear of failing and getting their name and honor damaged and therefore that of the family. It's an enormous burden to bear the name Dayne, since it means to live up to a code or become an outcast soon enough. House Dayne hasn't a single god, they follow or worship in particular. They worship all gods of the pantheon that got revered by the inhabitants of the realms they are living in, but some of them, especially knights and warriors, have a special connection to honorable god's like Erzaria, Tyr, Nemeia or even Mavros, Bahamut or the Red Valkyrie. They worship gods of battle and fighting, but only them, which fight with honor and bravery or uphold the code of a warrior. More then one member of House Dayne got chosen as champion of one of the god's in the past because of their dedication and devotion to the cause of a god. Therefore this champions were able to fulfill even greater deeds and bring even greater honor to House Dayne as a whole. Since their split both parts of House Dayne acted differently and independent, writing their own history and hadn't had any contact to each other. But their philosophy and morality remains unchanged and both houses are still proud of their legendary status as knights and therefore trying to uphold that in their own ways. It's unknown, which differences the houses might have underwent since they never got compared to each other, but it's up to believe, that some of their point of views or behaviour might have changed. House Dayne of Ravenholm in particular tries to uphold the oath their ancestor had sworn to the duke's of Ravenholm at any cost, so they were fiercely loyal to them, even when they had to face the overwhelming might of the Overlord. They remained loyal and got cursed in the process, even becoming Vampires to stay as vassals to the Duchess. Only recently and for the first time ever the last remaining members of House Dayne of Ravenholm had given up their ancestral oath and sought a new home and purpose as the Wardens of the North, but only because remaining loyal would have meant to betray the code of chivalry, since the duchess of Ravenholm isn't honorable any longer and House Dayne of Ravenholm only follows an honorable and just ruler, which is part of their inherited philosophy. Remaining loyal to Serena of Ravenholm would also have meant the end of the anyway nearly extinct House as a whole sooner or later and so they had to change their loyalities to find a new purpose, they can follow for the days to come.Historical Members
- Roderic Dayne, the founder of the side branch later known as House Dayne of Ravenholm is a historical figure, that once was the heir of the original House Dayne, as their firstborn son. Not much is known about him beside the fact, that he was a brave, strong and honorable warrior. He lost in a duel against Davion Toradis and had to went into exile afterwards, which he did. He arrived in Ravenholm, where he found the honorable nobles he had sought and therefore bend the knee to the duke's of Ravenholm. He served as a knight in the Duchy of Ravenholm for years, until he got honored by gaining some land of his own and got the permission of founding his own house. He founded the side branch of House Dayne and led the family up to his death, teaching them the philosophy of House Dayne and setting the foundation of what would become an honorable house in the future.
- Berrand Dayne was the leader of the house around the time of 3100 AoM. He was one of the most loyal knights of the Duchy of Ravenholm and a personal friend and mentor to Serena of Ravenholm, which later would became the duchess of the realm. After the duchess and even himself not wanting to surrender to the usurper later known as the Overlord, but also had no chance to win a battle, Berrand Dayne accepted a duel against the chosen champion of the Overlord: Termacht, the Overblade. The knight knew, he would stand no chance against the monstrouse enemy, but he accepted anyway. He died in the duel in a matter of seconds and his sword Raven's Claw got shattered. His honorable death angered the Overlord and were the beginning of the hunt of members bearing the name "Dayne", since they got marked as betrayers to the realm. The remains of Berrand Dayne were in possession of the Overlord for nearly 50 years. Because he had died an honorable death his soul were brought to Arborea, where he found his peace in the realms of the goddess Erzaria. His remains later got taken back by his grandson Alexasar Dayne and he got buried on the Boreas Island, the new home of the family, alongside his sword. The last remaining echo of him, inheriting all his negative emotions, his secret anger and hatred, got destroyed by Alexasar Dayne in the year 3171 AoM and the essence of that echo was used to strengthen the new family weapon: the sword named Oathkeeper.
- Rukon Dayne, the younger son of Berrand Dayne became the heir of the family, after his older brother Kurdran Dayne not returned, shortly after the death of their father. He tried his best to uphold the family name, even he was never prepared to do so. He stayed loyal to the Duchy of Ravenholm, even let it happen, that himself and his whole family became Vampires. Being lost in the Mists surrounding Ravenholm for eons, he became dark and broody over time, not related to the mortal world any longer. More and more he lost his honor and a purpose in life. He even had to watch his own daughter succumbing more and more to the burden of being a Vampire, but feeling unable to do anything against it. Only with the arrival of his nephew Alexasar Dayne Rukon finally found new hope and was able to escape the Domains of Dread together with his daugther. He got a new chance to live and even the chance of atonishment for all the sins he had done in life.
- Paraia Dayne is the only child of Rukon Dayne and became a Vampire just like her father and mother, when they remained loyal vassals to the Duchy of Ravenholm after the Mists succumbed the duchy. She suffered a lot under the burden of being a vampire and therefore the fear and hatred of the populace she had to bear all day. She dreamed of being free to live up to the high standards of House Dayne again, exploring the world and enjoy the life, but a long time this seems to be impossible. With the arrival of her cousin Alexasar things changed. Paraia and Alexasar have a lot in common and finally she got back her freedom and the chance of a second life as a mortal, so she now can fulfill her dreams and live life up to the fullest, like she always wanted.
- Kurdran Dayne was the older son of Berrand Dayne and was a ward to a noble house in Aurun, when the family was declared enemies of the realm. He escaped them but were unable to return to Ravenholm, before it was succumbed by the Mists, which made it impossible to him to ever return home later on. So he took up life as an adventurer, becoming an honorable warrior and knight on his own. Later he married the woman he traveled with and together with Marisha Dayne he had two children: Alexasar and Amelia. When the young family got found by the minions of the Overlord, they had to separate the children and hid them by their old friends, before escaping Aurunia for good. His further fate is unknown, even the fact, if he is still alive. Rumors are going they tried to reach Dûadia for shelter, but if that is true and if they ever arrived there, is fully unknown up to this day.
- Alexasar Dayne is the son of Kurdran Dayne and before freeing his family members out of the Mists was the last remaining member of his house in the Kingdom of Aurun which really beared the name "Dayne". He grew up at the Boreas Island in secret, with Gorin Ironfist, a friend of his parents, as his fosterfather, where he inherited the duty and the philosophy of the Wardens of the North. Later on, after he got called about his heritage but loosing his fosterfather, his best friend and many others in a horrible attack he followed the call of the gods and joined the Dawn Hammers in Vasselheym, where he got trained as a warrior. Years later he traveled Aurunia to fulfill the promise he had given to his best friend Celyna Dùrel: to make his name legendary, so she can hear it even in the heavenly realms she is. Since his promise got the respect of Erzaria, she accepted him as her champion to see, if he can fulfill the oath, he had sworn. He is a chosen warrior of the god's, fighting the evil of the realm and trying to become a champion and a real knight, a protector of the realm, which reestablish his family in the realms of Aurunia and return the name Dayne to it's former glory once more.
- Amelia Reginaux, born as Amelia Dayne, is the twin sister of Alexasar and got hidden from the Overlord right under his eyes in the capital city of Dawnlight. As an adult she married Tibault Reginaux and took up his family name, so she would not get exposed as a member of House Dayne. She vanished under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind her husband and daugther without any hints, what happened to her. Up to this day her fate remains unknown, it's not even known, if she vanished voluntarily or got kidnapped or killed.
- Lancinnei Reginaux is the daugther of Amelia Reginaux and the niece to Alexasar Dayne. She not bears the name Dayne because of her mother had lived in secret in Dawnlight, married the influential noble Tibault Reginaux and therefore hide from the watchful eyes of the Overlord. She inherits a lot of traits of House Dayne, especially the love for knights, nobility and honorable warriors and has the dream of becoming a real knight too one day. She became the squire to Alexasar Dayne and her uncle even became her mentor and fatherfigure later on. She follows Alexasar everywhere and deeply believes, that he will be able to rebuild the once proud house, so she can continue the family name one day, having her own adventures to get glory and continue his quest that way. Alexasar on the other hand sees Lancinnei as the future and the legacy of the family and since meeting her and becoming her legal ward fights even harder to build up a foundation and home for the young girl, so she can live up to the dreams and hopes, he was never able to.
Trivia
- House Dayne as a whole is heavily inspired by the house of the same name from the novels "A Song of Ice and Fire". Especially their legendary status as honorable family of knights and warriors got adopted from this source.
- The motto of the house also derives from the books of "A Song of Ice and Fire". The original words stems from House Baratheon: "Ours is the Fury!"
- The motto of the house has a philosophical meaning. It takes regard of Roderic Dayne, which accepted his defeat and went into exile, even when that meant to give up his heirlooms and legacy. So his honor stayed intact, even in this most dire times. When he rebuild the house, he chose the phoenix as his heraldic animal, since his descendants would rise up from the ashes like the legendary bird itself after they lost everything.
- The theme song fitting best to the family is "The King's Arrival" from the soundtrack of the TV-Series "Game of Thrones", created by Ramin Djawadi.
- Since they are splintered across different realms and even dimensions, it's fully unknown, how many family members of this house still exist at the beginning of the Age of Change. Ironically Alexasar Dayne spoke about himself a long time as the "Last of the Daynes", which never was true, not for his house and not for the family as a whole.
- In real world history it was relatively common, that side branches of existing families got created. Sometimes through war, sometimes through marriage or alliances. One of the most prominent examples to this are the "Habsburger", which have a branch in austria and spain respectively.
- Rukon Dayne is listed as the current leader of the house. He inherited the title after the believed death of his older brother Kurdran Dayne and his children. Since it became clear, that Alexasar Dayne, as the son of Kurdran, is still alive, he has the birthright of adopting the title as family leader. Since he hadn't done that yet, Rukon remains as the leader instead of him. This makes Rukon the nominell "Regent Lord" of the family, until Alexasar adopts the title officially.
- The sword of Berrand Dayne, named Raven's Claw was an heirloom of the family in some ways, but it never got cleared if it really was a family sword or just the weapon of choice to Berrand Dayne. Since it wasn't magical, its more likely, that it was just the weapon the noble knight used most of his life as a knight of Ravenholm. The family later got a real heirloom with the magical and later on legendary sword Alexasar created and which he would pass down to his descendants: the Oathkeeper.
- The fate of Alexasar Dayne and Amelia Reginaux shares some similarities to that of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa from the Franchise "Star Wars". In both cases the children of a noble family got separated to avoid them being detected by an evil emperor and usurper and both got hidden by friends of the family. It's also similar, that the girl grew up in nobility while the boy lives in more simple circumstances, dreaming of making his life better. It's also similar, that they both not knowing of each other and grew up without any hints, that they have a sibling respectively.
"Ours is the burning Honor"
Founding Date
Unknown
Type
Political, Family
Alternative Names
House Dayne
Demonym
Dayne's
- Kurdran Dayne
- Paraia Dayne
- Alexasar Dayne
- Amelia Reginaux
- Lancinnei Reginaux
- Duchy of Ravenholm (Formerly)
- Boreas Island
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